Trainee Corner: Lauren’s experience and highlights
I started at GA Solicitors in September 2022, so have just two more months of my training contract before I qualify as a solicitor. My fourth and final seat has been in commercial property, and this is the department in which I am going to qualify.
I started my training contract with the wills, trusts and probate team working alongside partners, Matthew Rose and Jonathan Hall. This was the perfect start to my training contract as I had a lot of exposure to clients and dealt with sensitive matters, all whilst learning how to handle my own caseload. I liked this seat because I enjoyed speaking to clients and getting to know them. I enjoyed the variety of work and learning that no two files were the same!
My second seat was with Lucy Foster in the commercial property team. In these six months, I worked on various commercial property matters but mainly focused on finance and lending work. This was a very different seat to WTP as the clients were not only individuals but also companies of all different sizes and structures. My favourite part about commercial property was the fast-paced environment and the long-term relationships you build with clients and professional contacts.
My third seat was in personal injury, shadowing partners Matthew Sheather and James Walsh. I worked on a variety of medical negligence files, personal injury files and industrial disease files. Although different to anything I had done previously, and having never studied negligence at university, I still really enjoyed my time in this department. I had to learn how to think creatively, stay open-minded and learn to think outside of the box.
I have since returned to commercial property for my fourth and final seat, working closely with Tony Dupreez in all aspects of property, but mainly focused on development work and being exposed to all stages of development projects. This includes site acquisition of land or buildings and setting up the legal paperwork before dealing with plot sales. Alongside this, I also assist clients with buying and selling commercial units, leasing units and transferring properties into individual pensions. My favourite part about this work is the long-standing relationship with clients, and contacts and working as a team with clients to help achieve their development project.
Reflection
I have thoroughly enjoyed my training contract, although it is not easy and there are days where I have found it challenging. However, throughout every step of my training, I have had constant support from my supervisors and other colleagues in the team including the training principal, Lucy Foster. We have had regular meetings to discuss progress and she has always been a great point of contact whenever needed.
Everyone at GA Solicitors really wishes to see their colleagues succeed and this is obvious from the number of opportunities I have been provided with. This ranges from marketing events, opportunities in work projects, and projects which GA are working on as a firm, such as getting involved with reducing our carbon footprint. Everyone feels like they are a part of the team, and everyone supports one another.
I would highly recommend GA Solicitors in Plymouth for a training contract. Not only is everyone super supportive and friendly, but the high-level quality work you get involved with is very special. As a trainee, I feel like I have had a real impact on the files I work on, and I am very grateful for this. I am looking forward to qualifying for the commercial property team in September and seeing my career continue to progress.
As a multisector law firm with eight specialist departments, we offer trainee solicitors hands-on experience in a variety of contentious and non-contentious areas. Find out more by visiting our trainee solicitor contracts page or viewing our FAQs.
All content on this website (inclusive of guides, blogs and imagery) is strictly copyrighted by Gill Akaster LLP, trading as GA Solicitors. It is not to be used by any third party without prior contact and permission. Any requests for content should be sent to katy.mckenna@GAsolicitors.com.